Loose-leaf binder



June 14, 1966 R. E. DENNIS 3,255,759

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 25, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l 22 47 5/ 5 50 in 49 INVENTOR.

RALPH E. DEN/W5 A TTOR/VE Y8 June 14, 1966 R. E. DENNIS LOOSE-LEAF BINDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 23 1965 INVENTOR. RALPH E. DE NN/S BY MAHO/VEY, MILLER a RAMBO W M ATTORNEYS June 14, 1966 R. E. DENNIS LOOSE-LEAF BINDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 23, 1963 FIG: /5

INVENTOR. RALRH E. DENNIS BY MA/gA/Ex MILLER 8RAMBO ATTORNEYS June 14, 1966 R. E. DENNIS 3,255,759

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed Sept. 23, 1963 5 Sheets-Sneet 5 INVENTOR. RALPH E. DENNIS MA ONEK MILLER 8 RAMBO ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,255,759 LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Ralph ELDennis, 2497 Fishiuger Road, Columbus, ()hio 43221 Filed Sept. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 310,626 4 Claims. (Cl. 129-24) My invention relates to a loose-leaf binder. It has to do, more particularly, with a loose-leaf binder of the split ring, center-opening type.

The binder of my present invention is composed mainly of two sections, namely, a base section and a cooperating, relatively movable, locking section. The base section and the locking section both carry sets of ring portions of equal numbers which are adapted to be brought together by relative movement of the sections to interfit or interlock and form completely closed rings which are adapted to carry the loose-leaves which can be inserted therein when the binder is unlocked and opened at its center. The locking section is mounted on the base section for both longitudinal and transverse oscillating movement relative thereto between opened and closed positions. When in onelongitudinal position, the binder is unlocked and the locking section can be oscillated transversely outwardly to an open position to swing the ring portions on the locking section away from those on the base section and, therefore, permit loading of the loose-leaves on the ring portions of the base section or removal of the loose-leaves therefrom. If the locking section is then oscillated transversely inwardly so that its ring portions move inwardly toward the transverse position of the ring portions on the base section and is then moved longitudinally in a reverse direction, the ends of the two sets of ring portions will be moved into interengaging or interlocking relationship with each other. In addition, I provide a latching arrangement between the two sections for precluding relative movement into unlocked or open position until actually forced into that position when it is desired to open the binder at the center.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated several forms of my loose-leaf binder but it is to be understood that specific details may be varied without departing from the basic principles.

In these drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of my loose-leaf binder embodying my invention showing the binder in closed and locked position.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the-binder in a partially unlocked and opened position.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the binder in completely opened position.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along line 4 4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of the base section of the binder.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the base section.

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the base section.

FIGURE 8 is a transverse sectional view showing a binder according to my invention mounted within a onepiece binder cover and retaining loose-leaf sheets therein, the binder being shown closed.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view of the structure of FIGURE 8 but showing only a portion of the cover and illustrating the binder in open position with the loose-leaf sheets resting on the base section.

FIGURE 10 is an isometric view of a modified form of binder embodying my invention showing it in closed position.

FIGURE 11 is an end view of the binder taken substantially along line 11-11 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 but showing the binder in open position.

Patented June 14, 1966 FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating another modified form of binder according to my invention. 1

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 1414 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a face view of a cover plate which may FIGURE 19 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIGURE 18.

FIGURE 20 is an isometric view of the locking section used in the binder of FIGURE 18.

With reference to the drawings and particularly to FIG- URES 1 m4, the binder of my invention is shown as comprising the two main sections 21 and 22, which are, respectively, the base section and a cooperating locking section which are relatively movable longitudinally and are relatively oscillatable transversely so that the binder can be unlocked and opened at its center for removal or insertion of loose-leaf sheets or can be closed and locked for retention of the loose-leaf sheets. The binder unit is so designed that the main sections can be formed of plastic by high-production methods although they can also be formed of metal if desired.

The base section 21, as shown best in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, is made preferably of a solid piece of material, such as plastic, and comprises a flat, elongated strip or body 23 and it will be noted that both the inner surface 24 and the outer surface 25 of this body are flat. Spaced inwardly slightly from one edge of this body 23 are the ring portions 26 preferably in longitudinally spaced relationship and in any suitable number. These portions 26 preferably are formed integral with the body 23 adjacent its edge but can be formed separately and secured to the body as by welding. Each ring portion 26 curves outwardly and upwardly and theninwardly relative to the edge of the body 23. However, each ring portion is wholly inwardly of the edge of the body so as to be protected thereby. Each ring portion 26 terminates in a free shouldered end. This end is recessed or undercut to provide an extremity 27 of reduced thickness and a shoulder 28 (FIGURE 9). The lower surface of the extremity is provided with a locking groove 29 which extends transversely thereof.

The base section 21 is provided continuously along the opposite edge of the body 23 with an integral inverted longitudinally extending channel formation 30. The channel 30 opens downwardly at a continuous narrowed longitudinal slot 31 (FIGURES 5 and 9) which extends the full length thereof. The channel formation is of substantially square or rectangular form in outer crosssection with a cylindrical channel 32 communicating with the narrowed outer slot 31. The top wall 33 of the inverted channel formation 30 is substantially flat and in a plane substantially parallel to that of the flat body 23.

At intervals corresponding to the spacing of the ring portions 26, the channel formation 30 is provided with ring-portion receiving slots 35 (FIGURES 1 to 7). These slots 35 are bayonette type slots and each comprises a vertical portion 36 in the outer channel flange 37 which is open at the lower edge of the flange and which communicates with an L-shaped slot portion in the horizontal upper wall 33 of the channel formation 30.

The lower surface 25 of the base section, as previously indicated, is fiat so that it may fit against an adjacent fiat surface of a cover and openings 44 are provided through the flat body for receiving posts or screws to mount the cover. The base section forms its own backup plate so that a separate back-up plate is not required but in some instances it may be desirable to provide a flat cover or window plate 45 which may be attached to the binder in a manner to be explained later.

The upper surface of the body 23 at one end thereof, as shown in FIGURES 1 to 4, has a latching or retaining spring 47 either formed as a part thereof or formed separately and suitably secured thereto. In the example illustrated, this spring is in the form of a leaf spring disposed longitudinally of the body 23 and located over a receiving slot therein. The spring is biased upwardly and has a transversely disposed latch receiving groove or indentation 48 formed adjacent its outer free end. At this outer free end the spring has a transversely extending portion 49 which can be pushed by the fingers to move the spring 47 down into the underlying slot and the portion 49 in the same plane as the body 23 at its adjacent end.

The locking section 22, as indicated in FIGURES 1 to '4 and 9, is in the form of an elongated rod 50 of circular cross-section preferably formed of plastic. At one end it has a handle portion 51 disposed at a right angle to the rod 50, offset outwardly from the plane thereof (FIGURE 4), and preferably integral therewith. The opposite end of the rod 50 has a reduced extremity 52 (FIGURE 17) formed thereon and providing a shoulder 53. The rod 50 is further provided at longitudinally spaced intervals with ring portion 56 similar to the ring portions 26 and spaced longitudinally in an identical manner. Each ,of these portions 56 curves outwardly and upwardly from the rod 50 and then inwardly. Each portion 56 terminates in a free shouldered end. This extremity is reduced in thickness to provide a thin extremity 57 having an associated shoulder 58. These extremities 57 are adapted to interfit with the extremities 27 of the ring portions 56. The upper surface of each extremity 57 is provided with a transverse rib 59 which is adapted to interfit with the transverse groove 29 when that extremity moves into association with a cooperating extremity 27.

The ring portions 56 are preferably integral with the rod 50 although they may be formed separately and welded to the rod.

The two sections are assembled by placing the rod 50 of the locking section 22 below the channel formation 30 on the base section 21 with the ring portions 56 in alignment with the below the slots 36. The rod 50 is of slightly greater diameter than the slot 31 (FIGURE 9) but can be snapped upwardly through the slot into the inverted channel. It will now be possible to swing the ring portions 56 inwardly, the rod 50 being disposed in the inverted channel and rotating about its own axis. Then the rod 50 may be moved axially longitudinally to move the ring portions 56 through the longitudinal slot portions in the top channel wall 33 toward the closed ends thereof. These slot portions will prevent return oscillation of the rod 50. The longitudinal locking movement also moves the ring extremities 57 of the section 22 under the ring extremities 27 of the section 21 and moves the ribs 59 into the slots 29. Also, the shoulders 28 and 58 of the adjacent interlocking ring portions will abut each other to provide a tight fit. Thus, the ends of the associated ring portions 56 and 26 are interfitted and interlocked tightly so that they cannot move relatively or be separated while the binder is closed. A compression spring 60, of plastic or metal, is positioned on the reduced end 52 of the rod 50 between the shoulder 53 and the adjacent shoulder 61 at the end of the channel 30. This spring biases the rod 50 in the channel in a direction to move the ring portions 56 into the closed ends of the slot portions 35. When the rod 50 is oscil lated to move the ring portions 56 inwardly, the handle 51 of the rod swings into horizontal position against the leaf spring 47 adjacent its anchored end. The subsequent longitudinal movement of the rod 50, moves the handle into the retaining groove 48 of the leaf spring. The compression spring 60 biases the rod 50 into this longitudinal locked position.

To open the binder, the leaf spring 47 is pushed downwardly by engagement of the portion 49 to release the handle 51. The handle is gripped to force the rod 50, against the resistance of the spring 60, in a reverse or unlocking longitudinal direction to move the ring portions 56 opposite the vertical slot portions 36. This moves the ring extremities 57 laterally relative to the interfitted ring extremities 27 to release them from each other. Consequently, the rod 50 may now be rotated by the handle 51 to swing the ring portions 56 outwardly through the slots 36. At this time, the binder is in opened position.

The binder unit so far described is preferably used, as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, with a one-piece cover which comprises the two flaps 71 and 72 hinged to a central connecting flange 73. The lower fiat surface 25 of the base section 23 will contact the adjacent flat inner surface of the flange 73. Posts or rivets 74 with opposite enlarged ends may be used to hold the binder and cover together, the posts passing through the openings 44 in the base section 21 and aligning openings in the cover connecting flap 73.

It will be noted that the ring portions 26 and 56 separate at the center of the binder which will make it possible to remove any loose-leaf sheet S, from the opened binder, that is selected from a group mounted therein. Also, a sheet S may be inserted at any selected position in the group without disturbing other sheets. This is because selected portions of the group of sheets may be disposed on the respective binder sections 21 and 22 when it is opened. These selected portions of the group of sheets can lie fiat against the cooperating cover flaps 71 and 72 with the binder in either closed or opened condition, as indicated in FIGURE 9, which shows it in opened position. When the binder is closed as indicated in FIGURE 8, both sets of ring portions 26 and 56 lie inwardly of the respective outer edges of the base section 21 and, therefore, will not contact the respective cover flaps 71 and 72.

As previously indicated, sometimes it is desirable to use the plate 45 and in such an instance, it can be mounted as shown in FIGURES 16 and 17. For example, it may be desirable to provide the window socket 75 for receiving an identifying label 76, which may slide into and out of the upwardly opening socket. The plate 45 may carry the inwardly-extending posts 74a which will extend through aligning openings in the connecting cover flap 73a and the base section 21a of the binder, the inner end of the posts 74a being battered down or enlarged to retain the parts in assembled relationship.

In FIGURES 10, 11 and 12, I have illustrated a modified form of binder embodying the basic principles of my invention which includes a base section 21b that can be made as a continuous strip and cut to any desired length. This section 21b will have the ring portions 26b formed thereon at regular intervals and will also have locking cam bosses 47b formed on the flat inner surface of the base section at the intervals between the portions 26b. The channel formation 30b will open inwardly at the narrowed slot 31b rather than downwardly as before. The rod 50b will have the ring portions 56b formed there on and the cooperating inner ends of the portions 26b and 56b will be formed to overlap with each other, as shown in FIGURE 11. The channel formation 30b will be provided with L-shaped slots 35b similar to the previously described slots 35.

The sections 21b and 22b may be formed from plastic and the section 21b may be 'cut to any suitable length, the cooperating section 22b being of a corresponding length. To assemble the two sections, the ring portions 56b are slipped outwardly through the vertical portions 36b of the slots 35b and the rod portion 50b is forced laterally outwardly through the slot 31b. The section 22b may then be swung inwardly to move the ring portions 56b toward the ring portions 26b. Then the section 22b may then be moved longitudinally to engage the respective ring portions 26b and 56b with each other and to move the ring portions 22b into the closed ends of the slots 35b to lock the binder in closed position. The longitudinal movement will also move the handle 51b over the adjacent endmost locking boss 4711, as indicated in FIGURE 10, so as to prevent return longitudinal movement into unlocking position.

The arrangement shown in FIGURES 13 and 14 is similar to that shown in FIGURES 1-4, inclusive. However, in this instance, the handle on the rod 50c is eliminated. The ring portions 560 of the unit 22c are provided with diametrically opposed locking and stabilizing lugs 80 which are adapted to engage the top of a channel formation 30c when the ring portions 560 are moved into the closed ends of the slots 350. The sides of the straight part of each slot 350 are provided with inclined cam surfaces 81 with which the lugs 80 engage when the ring portions 56c are forced into the closed ends of the slots. Thus, there is a cam-like locking action and the handle and associated locking means on the rod 500 is not necessary.

The arrangement shown in FIGURES 18-20, inclusive, is similar to that shown in FIGURES 14, inclusive. However, in this instance, the section 22d is modified to have the stabilizing lugs 82 formed on the rod 50d at the root ends and directly inside the ring portions 56d carried thereby. This rod has the reduced end 52d with which the spring 60d will be associated. It is again provided with the handle 51d.

The base section 21d is substantially as before but the inverted channel formation 30d is slightly different having an inwardly-angled inner wall or flange to make room in the channel for the lugs 82. Also, the slots 35d are substantially T-shaped in this instance having an additional indentation 36e which aligns with the vertical portion 36a. This indentation permits oscillating movement of the lugs 82 when the rod 50d is rotated. The oscillation of the rod will be the same but when it is moved longitudinally, the lugs 32 will move beneath the adjacent corners 33d of the top wall of the channel 30. The locking means for the handle 51b will be substantially as before and is indicated generally at 47d.

It will be apparent from the above that I have provided a two-piece binder which is of simple construction but which will receive and effectively hold loose-leaf sheets. The binder is of the center-opening type since each of the sections carries ring portions which constitute substantially half of the complete rings. The binder can rest flat when it is opened and the associated cover flaps and sheets at each side of the open binder can rest in flat condition. The binder can be opened at any selected sheet to permit removal or insertion of sheets at that location, due to its center opening feature, without disturbing adjacent sheets at either side of the binder. The binder will be positively locked in position until it is desired to open it which can be accomplished with ease. The flat base section needs no back-up plate but a windowcarrying back-up plate may be used if desired.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles of this invention have been explained and have been illustrated and described in what is now considered to represent the best embodiment. However, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A loose-leaf binder comprising a base section and a locking section, said base section comprising a flat body having opposed longitudinal edges, ring portions at longitudinally spaced intervals adjacent one of said longitudinal edges extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom, a channel formation along the other of said longitudinal edges, said locking section being mounted for both longitudinal movement and transverse oscillation on said base section, said locking section comprising an elongated rod inserted through said slot and disposed-in said channel formation for oscillation about its axis and axial longitudinal sliding movement therein, ring portions having inner ends connected to said rod at longitudinallyv spaced intervals corresponding to the longitudinal spacing of said ring portions on said base section body and extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom, said last-named ring portions extending through slots in said channel formation provided at similarly longitudinally spaced intervals therealong and having transverse and longitudinal portions that permit transverse swinging of the rod-carried ring portions upon oscillation of said rod and longitudinal movement of said ring portions in said channel formation upon axial longitudinal sliding movement of the rod to bring said ring portions into and out of cooperation with the ring portions on the body of the base section, said longitudinal portions of said slots cooperating with the inner ends of said ring portions when the rod is moved to its indicated axial position to lock said rod from further oscillating movement, said cooperating ring portions having extremities which are of reduced thickness to move into overlapping relationship by proper swinging and longitudinal movement of said rod in the channel formation, said overlapping extremities having cooperating interfitting grooves and ribs extending transversely thereof, said 'rod having a transversely extending handle formation on one end thereof and said base having a locking means on the corresponding end thereof engaged by said handle formation simultaneously with the overlapping of the ring portions.

2. A loose-leaf binder according to claim 1 in which said locking means includes means extending from the base and responsive to downward pressure thereon to move said locking means to handle releasing position.

3. A loose-leaf binder according to claim 2 in which said last-named means comprises a leaf spring carried by the base and engaged by the handle.

4. A loose-leaf binder according to claim 3 in which a spring is mounted in the channel formation in cooperation with the rod for biasing it in the direction of said locking means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 792,389 6/1905 Boehner l2924 1,286,501 12/1918 Bauer 1291 1,945,970 2/1934 Freiberg 1299 2,024,883 12/1935 Schade l291 2,051,907 8/1936 Schade 1291 FOREIGN PATENTS 976,583 11/1950 France.

661,062 11/1951 Great Britain.

413,834 6/1946 Italy.

64,492 6/ 1913 Switzerland.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

JEROME SCHNALL, Examiner.

CLYDE I. COUGHENOUR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A LOOSE-LEAF BINDER COMPRISING A BASE SECTION AND A LOCKING SECTION, SAID BASE SECTION COMPRISING A FLAT BODY HAVING OPPOSED LONGITUDINAL EDGES RING PORTIONS AT LONGITUDINALLY SPACED INTERVALS ADJACENT ONE OF SAID LONGITUDINAL EDGES EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND INWARDLY THEREFROM, A CHANNEL FORMATION ALONG THE OTHER OF SAID LONGITUDINAL EDGES, SAID LOCKING SECTION BEING MOUNTED FOR BOTH LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT AND TRANSVERSE OSCILLATION ON SAID BASE SECTION, SAID LOCKING SECTION COMPRISING AN ELONGATED ROD INSERTED THROUGH SAID SLOT AND DISPOSED IN SAID CHANNEL FORMATION FOR OSCILLATION ABOUT ITS AXIS AND AXIAL LONGITUDINAL SLIDING MOVEMENT THEREIN, RING PORTIONS HAVING INNER ENDS CONNECTED TO SAID ROD AT LONGITUDINALLY SPACED INTERVALS CORRESPONDING TO THE LONGITUDINAL SPACING OF SAID RING PORTIONS ON SAID BASE SECTION BODY AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND INWARDLY THEREFROM, SAID LAST-NAMED RING PORTIONS EXTENDING THROUGH SLOTS IN SAID CHANNEL FORMATIONS PROVIDED AT SIMILARLY LONGITUDINALLY SPACED INTERVALS THEREALONG AND HAVING TRANSVERSE AND LONGITUDINAL PORTIONS THAT PERMIT TRANSVERSE SWINGING OF THE ROD-CARRIED RING PORTIONS UPON OSCILLATIOIN OF SAID ROD AND LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID RING PORTIONS IN SAID CHANNEL FORMATION UPON AXIAL LONGITUDINAL SLIDING MOVEMENT OF THE ROD TO BRING SAID RING PORTIONS INTO AND OUT OF COOPERATION WITH THE RING PORTIONS ON THE BODY OF THE BASE SECTION, SAID LONGITUDINAL PORTIONS OF SAID SLOTS COOPERATIONG WITH THE INNER ENDS OF SAID RING PORTIONS WHEN THE ROD IS MOVED TO ITS INDICATED AXIAL POSITION TO LOCK SAID ROD FROM FURTHER OSCILLATING MOVEMENT, SAID COOPERATING RING PORTIONS HAVING EXTREMITIES WHICH ARE OF REDUCED THICKNESS TO MOVE INTO OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP BY PROPER SWINGING AND LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ROD IN THE CHANNEL FORMATION, SAID OVERLAPPING EXTREMITIES HAVING COOPERATING INTERFITTING GROOVES AND RIBS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THEREOF, SAID ROD HAVING A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING HANDLE FORMATION ON ONE END THEREOF AND SAID BASE HAVING A LOCKING MEANS ON THE CORRESPONDING END THEREOF ENGAGED BY SAID HANDLE FORMATION SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE OVERLAPPING OF THE RING PORTIONS. 